The Bisons came into Thursday afternoon's game against East Tennessee State having lost the last three meetings. After leading most of the way through the game, many people thought the Bisons would stop the streak. However, a Buccaneers 22-6 run to close the game gave them their fourth consecutive win over the Bisons 86-81.

The Bisons fall to 8-11 on the year and 2-3 in the Atlantic Sun. ETSU improves to 9-9 overall and 3-2 in the A-Sun.

"They stepped up and made some big three's, and we had some untimely turnovers," said head coach Scott Sanderson after the game. "Today we didn't execute down the stretch offensively."

The Bisons took the lead in the first half and would not give it up until the 18:42 mark of the second half. The score was tied three times in the first half with both teams answering each other's offensive production. The Buccaneers were 13-28 from the field in the first half (46.4%). The Bisons shot 18-33 from the field (54.5%). The Bisons also outscored the Buccaneers in the paint 26-10.

East Tennesse State started the second half on a 5-0 run to take their first lead of the game 46-44. However, the Bisons would battle back to re-gain the lead and extend it out to 11 points at the 6:22 mark of the second half. The Buccaneers then went on a 22-6 run to close the game and give the Bisons their second home loss of the season, 86-81.

"We have got to do a better job of closing people out down the stretch of games," said Sanderson.

Lipscomb started three freshmen for the second consecutive game. Adnan Hodzic, Josh Slater, and Brandon Brown complemented seniors Eddie Ard and LaKory Daniels in the starting lineups. Slater led the Bisons in scoring with 17 points. Hodzic pulled down 7 rebounds to lead the Bisons. Freshman Jimmy Oden also contributed with 5 points and 5 assists. Lipscomb scored 46 points with the four freshmen combined.

The Bisons had 5 players to reach double figures in scoring. Michael Lusk had 12 points, Ard scored 14 points, Brown contributed with 11 points, Hodzic had 13 points, and Slater led the way for the Bisons with 17 points.

ETSU also had 5 players to reach double figures in scoring. Kenyona Swader had 11 points, Kevin Tiggs and Travis Strong both led all scorers with 18 points, Courtney Pigram had 13 points, and Micah Williams contributed with 10 points.

"We're playing with a lot of guys where it is there first go around," said Sanderson. "Nobody said it was going to be easy. Nobody is going to give you anything. You have got to keep competing, and I don't want this game here to affect the next game. They need to get there head up and get ready to go to practice next Monday."

The Bisons fall to 8-11 on the year, 2-3 in the Atlantic Sun. The Buccaneers improve to 9-9 overall and 3-2 in the A-Sun.

Lipscomb's next action comes on January the 24th when they travel to Mercer. The game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CST. Coverage of the game can be heard on 900 AM.